- May 7, 2025
You know it’s an encounter of significance when tactical change causes a ripple effect throughout the entire batting lineup. That was about to happen when the Gujarat Titans faced their latest opponents in this IPL 2025 Mumbai Indians. Most fans were prepared for a SKY-themed evening, ready for Suryakumar Yadav to shimmy down the track and deposit others into the night sky, when it was the Titans that shaped how this game was to be played. The star of the piece? Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore. A name and pairing that is seldom mentioned in the same breath as Bumrah. But last night, he was the difference between winning and losing.
The Kishore Code: Crafting Chaos for SKY
Now let’s turn to the real game-changer–Sai Kishore. The left-arm spinner was not just aiming the ball and crossing his fingers. He was trying to execute a specific plan designed to target perhaps the most dangerous T20 batter currently on the planet. Suryakumar Yadav is very much a sweep king, and against any spinner, if you get to hit him with one shot, the sweep has been how he has demolished every spinner in this tournament. Before this match, he was at over 300 on the sweep!
So, what did Sai do differently? He invited the sweep, but with a trap set so well that it was like watching a chess game. Fielders were in all the right places—short fine leg, short square leg, deep square, long leg. Sai is disciplined and bows to that field. SKY is trying not to sweep and then trying to go inside out instead, and guess what? He gets picked out at long-off. Game, set, Kishore.
Captaincy, Matchups & MI’s Missteps
Let’s not overlook the captaincy here. Shubman Gill’s captaincy wasn’t just a man with a title, he was in the game from start to finish as a planner. In terms of field positions and bowlers, everything looked like a plan. He even stood at slip to attempt a catch off Hardik Pandya. MI wasted three early chances, with dropped catches that could have made for a different match. But the Titans did not panic or lose belief.
Why GT’s Bowling Unit Deserves Credit
Even while Sai Kishore shone, it was collectively a bowling performance. The GT bowlers on the other end were committed to their plans, feeding into the strong zones of SKY without giving him any freebies. And the bravery in that is underrated. Most bowlers would shy away from letting a batsman like Surya play his shots.
SKY had tried the sweep five times and managed only eight runs from those attempts. For perspective, that’s like Messi trying five times and scoring just once…it’s not just the number, it’s the containment of a genius. The pressure finally turned SKY’s mind to somewhere else for runs, and that’s when the chinks began to show. The GT bowlers smelled blood, and they went in for the kill. As fans, we may have to eventually start to appreciate more than the sixes—a field plan, a courageous line, an underdog bowler who pulls off sorcery with precision and belief.
Who do you think will be the next unsung hero in the strategic duels this season? Let the cricket chat continue.
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!
